Daily brief
EU leaders at a summit in Brussels sharply criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán for vetoing a €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated the bloc has legal tools to bypass the veto but lacks the political will to use them, while the Belgian prime minister suggested the European Commission is waiting for a change in Hungary's leadership. Orbán defended his position by calling for the EU to restore its former 'harmony' with Russia.
EU leaders formally demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and called for an end to strikes on energy and water infrastructure in the region.
A planned press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels was canceled by EU leaders.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob urged an EU probe as a corruption scandal in the country deepens.
The leader of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, expressed openness to forming majorities with far-right parties, countering statements from Chancellor Friedrich Merz.